Latest news with #AshMorgan
The Australian
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Australian
Jockey Ashley Morgan to ride Bjorn Baker-trained Puntin
Jockey Ash Morgan is continuing to build a catalogue of budding spring stars with emerging talent Puntin his latest potential prospect at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Morgan has a date with The Everest already circled in the calendar for unbeaten colt Private Harry while last Saturday, he partnered a horse he believes has Group 1 potential in Caloundra Cup victor Half Yours. Puntin is still a way off those lofty heights but is a horse on an upward trajectory. The Bjorn Baker-trained Puntin has made a stellar start to his career with four wins and two seconds in six starts and produced a strong all-the-way effort under Morgan's urging last time at Rosehill Gardens. Puntin could confirm himself as a spring contender when he hunts back-to-back victories in the Asahi Super Dry Benchmark 78 (1600m). • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'I think Puntin can do it again,' Baker said. 'He's come back really good and I spoke to Luke (Hilton) on Wednesday morning and they were rapt with his work. 'I thought his win the other day was good. I think he is a 2000m horse but he was good the other day. 'The mile is good now and going forward in time I think he could be a Listed-Group 3 style of horse over a staying trip.' Puntin is the equal $4.60 favourite alongside Oh Diamond Lil with the leading contenders set to jump from neighbouring barriers in two and three respectively. The perfect draw gives Morgan options when the gates open. 'I am not against taking a sit on him,' Morgan said. 'Josh (Parr) rode him over 1250m at Canterbury and he was great off the back of them. 'If he is in front, he is in front but if they go fast, I think he will be better taking a sit. 'He's a lovely horse. He's so tough and genuine and going well.' • Clinton Payne's race-by-race tips, analysis for Randwick on Saturday If Morgan had a to-do List at the start of the season, every box would be already ticked. The Welsh-born rider already has eclipsed the 100-mark for winners in a season that included his maiden Group 1 in The Galaxy on Private Harry. '100 wins is the first target for the season and then I wanted to ride 10 metro wins, which I've won 19 now and I wanted to ride a stakes winner and I've ridden six,' Morgan said. 'I can tick the board. 'I am going to have to rethink it but after Saturday the Metrop might be one of them because Half Yours was terrific. I couldn't have been more impressed with him. 'I am just starting to gather a few more horses going into the spring so I am blessed to be in the position I am in.' • Randwick Turf Talk: Mitch Cohen has a Knockout tip for Saturday Morgan's popularity with trainers will be on full display on Saturday with seven rides for seven different stables. He also starts his day on another favourite with former Sydney galloper Premise ($3.80 favourite) in the TAB Highway Class 3 Handicap (1600m) for trainer Matt Dunn. Premise was placed in a Group 1 Australian Oaks as a three-year-old but departed former trainers John O'Shea and Tom Charlton's yard at the beginning of this preparation. 'Premise looks to be in really well at the weights (55.5kg),' Morgan said. 'The mile start at Randwick is beautiful so not too much to worry about with the wide gate there.' Among the best of his remaining chances is the Matthew Smith-trained Time Quest ($16), who was doing his best work late behind Headley Grange first-up from a spell, finishing seventh. On Saturday, he drops in grade for the TAB Benchmark 88 Handicap (1400m). 'Time Quest actually really raced fresh and travelled well,' Morgan said. 'I gave him a quiet ride early and I thought he might be run off his feet over that trip but he wasn't, he travelled really well. 'He got to the line terrific. He is drawn sticky but is going well.' Morgan also rides Mizella (race three), Bright Red (race five), Iron Will (race 7) and Super Norwest (race eight).
News.com.au
28-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Puntin delivers the 150th winner for Baker this season
Trainer Bjorn Baker brought up a milestone 150th winner for the season when progressive gelding Puntin showed tremendous fighting qualities to prevail at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Baker has been enjoying the best season of his training career and reached his new benchmark with a month still to go in the season. Puntin has contributed to four of those victories throughout the 2024/25 campaign after he burst onto the scene over the summer with three straights at Nowra, Moruya and Warwick Farm. The son of Super Seth toughed it out on speed to score his maiden city victory in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m). 'It's never easy to win on a Saturday and I think there is more in store, he has a great winning record,' Baker said. 'He was tough and it was a good ride. 'I still think the best is yet to come, once we get him up over a bit further.' Puntin was only narrowly beaten first-up this preparation at Canterbury and appreciated the step up from 1250m to 1400m. Jockey Ash Morgan found the front early on and was able to control the tempo of the race. Puntin ($4.40 ) continued to find over the concluding stages to hold off the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Don't Forget Jack ($3.90) by a short neck with Chris Waller's Maori Chief ($13) a half neck away in third. 'He had to work a little bit to get there and probably just overdid it a touch,' Baker said. 'I thought it was a good effort. I thought up to 1400m would suit today.' Who doesn't love Puntin! He was tough as nails to win the third at Rosehill ðŸ'° @AshMorgan6 @BBakerRacing — 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) June 28, 2025 Morgan's decision to go to the front early on held the key to Puntin's latest success. 'I was open to taking a sit today but they put me into a position where had to grab the bull by the horns a little bit,' Morgan said. 'Lucky when he was there he rested for me really well. 'I felt like I was going to be vulnerable late because of that work in the first furlong but he is an incredibly tough horse with a lovely attitude. 'He kept sticking his head out.'
News.com.au
08-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Ray Thomas's Blackbook: Five to follow from Royal Randwick on Saturday
Racing expert Ray Thomas has run the rule over Saturday's Bob Charley Stakes meeting at Royal Randwick and found a few he thinks are worth following. â– â– â– â– â– Kujenga (Race 1) was the rank outsider at $81 for the juvenile opener but gave backers of odds-on favourite Hidden Motive a real fright before losing by the narrowest of margins. Kujenga finished powerfully late to just miss but this improving filly can be placed to advantage over winter. You can exhale if you backed Hidden Motive! 🥵 The fav gets his nose down at the right moment to make it two wins in a row in the Randwick opener! @AshMorgan6 @ndoyleracing @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Gentileschi (Race 3) was coming back slightly in trip and wasn't suited by the slow early tempo but she started to gain momentum late and was charging through the pack to finish a close fifth. She's only had three starts this campaign and will keep improving, particularly as she gets out to a middle distance. Where to look?! ðŸ'€ Four go to the line as one at Randwick, with Shohisha getting the bob in a thriller! @tomo_sherry @DPayneRacing @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Wooloowin (Race 6) appreciated coming back in grade and ran a much improved race to finish a close third to Thunderlips at big odds. She's been improved by two runs from a spell and is working her way back to winning form. What a win by Thunderlips! 😮 âš¡ï¸� @AnnaRoper_ on board for @BBakerRacing ðŸ'� @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Quietness (Race 7) ran a blinder at her Australian debut to finish third and cap a great weekend for the John O'Shea-Tom Charlton stable. They celebrated a Queensland Derby quinella with Maison Louis and King Of Thunder and the trainers will be doing the same with Quietness, winner of five of her 11 starts in England, who ran so competitively behind Loch Eagle. Loch Eagle flies to win at Randwick! 🦅 @Leesracing @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Headley Grange (Race 9) scored brilliantly first-up and was the middle leg of a Joe Pride hat-trick. Headley Grange is extremely consistent and did win at his second and third runs in last preparation. Headley Grange wins first up to give @PrideRacing a Randwick double! 🙌 @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– ON THE CLOCK Callistemon  (Race 2) was held up for a run in the straight but when clear she charged home the final 200m in 11.88s to claim third. Just hop on the Doyle/Morgan express! 🚂 Hellfire Express wins the Midway - and that's the first two Randwick races to @ndoyleracing and @AshMorgan6! @aus_turf_club @Darby_Racing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Shohisha (Race 3) was a clear last in the small field of seven on the turn but although the race developed into a sprint home, she was able to sprint her final 600m in 34.08s to score an impressive win. Where to look?! ðŸ'€ Four go to the line as one at Randwick, with Shohisha getting the bob in a thriller! @tomo_sherry @DPayneRacing @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Bengal and Shropshire Lad (Race 4) broke clear of their rivals to fight out the finish of the Highway. Bengal ran his final 200m in 11.82s compared to Shropshire Lads 11.89s with the former edging clear near the line. Bengal hangs on in the TAB Highway for Luke Pepper and @brodie_loy ðŸ'° @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Loch Eagle (Race 7) finished powerfully at the end of 1600m to score a good win. He savaged the line with a closing 200m of 12.04s to run down Grebeni. Loch Eagle flies to win at Randwick! 🦅 @Leesracing @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 In Flight (Race 8) sprinted her final 600m in a fast 33.73s, the best of the meeting. She ran a closing 200m split of 11.65s to run down Brudenell and win the Bob Charley Stakes. A tough win to In Flight in the Listed Bob Charley AO Stakes at Randwick for @PrideRacing! 🚀 @ProvenTbreds @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– WHAT THEY SAID 'In Flight is going to keep getting better with age. This time next year she will be a better horse again. But she's a pretty thing. Look at her tail, there are so many different shades of grey in it, she's a beautiful filly,' said trainer Joe Pride. 'It's easy to say now she has two stakes wins to her name but she is just oozing confidence,' said Jay Ford, rider of In Flight. 'I'm happy for Joe (Pride) because I think he's an outstanding trainer and he's got a good horse with In Flight,' Bob Charley said. ' Shohisha has been looking for the mile, if it is in their genes, they will get the trip,' said trainer David Payne. 'I've got a few doubles but it's my first city treble. I have been here seven years now and it's probably only this year it has really developed into something,' said Ash Morgan after he rode three winners. 'We feel he is a four-five lengths better horse than what he showed today. He over-raced, he got pestered in front and did a bit of work there. He will improve a lot. Wait until you see him on top of the ground. At home what he has shown us, he is absolutely electric,' said Sean Driver, part-owner of Hidden Motive. â– â– â– â– â– STEWARDS WRAP Callistemon (Race 2) was held up for clear running from the 400m and approaching the 200m was disappointed for a run between Engine Room and Allegro Miss. Callistemon remained held up until passing the 150m where it was finally able to secure clear running. Danish Prince (Race 2) was ridden by apprentice Jace McMurray who was questioned by stewards regarding a towel remaining caught around his left leg during the race. McMurray stated that he had inadvertently left the towel draped across the wither of the gelding after entering the barriers and, as such, this resulted in it remaining attached to his leg through the race. Just hop on the Doyle/Morgan express! 🚂 Hellfire Express wins the Midway - and that's the first two Randwick races to @ndoyleracing and @AshMorgan6! @aus_turf_club @Darby_Racing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Rotagilla (Race 5) came out of a wide barrier and was shifted behind runners in the early stages. After passing the 1200m was inconvenienced by Mille De Lune, which shifted out when over-racing. Rotagilla raced wide and without cover until passing the 800m where he was awkwardly placed at the heels of Elivina, which was carried out. It's Millie De Lune on the inside who gives @AshMorgan6 a Randwick treble! ðŸŒ� @mcsmithracing @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Oh Diamond Lil (Race 6) travelled strongly throughout the middle stages but when expected it would quicken in the home straight she didn't respond as expected. Her rider, Jay Ford, told stewards the mare may have raced flat second-up from a spell. What a win by Thunderlips! 😮 âš¡ï¸� @AnnaRoper_ on board for @BBakerRacing ðŸ'� @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Whinchat (Race 9) reared on jumping and missed the start by six lengths. As stewards were satisfied that Whinchat reared simultaneously to the start being effected, the horse was declared a starter. Headley Grange wins first up to give @PrideRacing a Randwick double! 🙌 @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 â– â– â– â– â– NSW RACING – THE WEEK AHEAD Monday: Canterbury, Grafton Tuesday: Scone Wednesday: Kensington Thursday: Gosford, Lismore Friday: Goulburn, Muswellbrook Saturday: Rosehill Gardens, Newcastle Sunday: Coonamble, Port Macquarie â– â– â– â– â– SNAPSHOT – WITH RON DUFFICY RUN OF THE DAY You have to give it to the inexperienced three-year-old filly Shohisha who sat back last in a slowly run race giving weight to the older mares. Not only that she was 1100m to 1600m second-up on a heavy track. FORGET THEY RAN Callistemon never really had a chance to balance up right down the straight in the Midway. With clearer running early she would have gone close to winning. HORSE TO FOLLOW Shropshire Lad is just out of class 1 company and lacked Highway experience but his turn is not far off. It was hard to miss the run of the imported mare Quietness who has a nice future in Australia.
Daily Telegraph
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Hidden Motive triumphs in thrilling finish at Randwick
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Private Harry crew stuck again when Hidden Motive scrambled home at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Hidden Motive, the heavily backed favourite, just held off rank outsider Kujenga in a deceptively tight finish for the Precise Air Handicap (1100m). Sean Driver of Kurrinda Bloodstock was pleasantly surprised when his colt Hidden Motive was declared the winner. Racenet iQ members get full access to our Pro Tips service, where Greg and our team of professional punters provide daily tips with fully transparent return on investment statistics. SUBSCRIBE NOW and start punting like a pro! 'To be honest we didn't think he got the bob,' Driver said. 'But he's a tough horse and was able to win in conditions that didn't suit. 'He will go home now to our farm in the Hunter Valley for two weeks and the big aim is the Coolmore (Stud Stakes) in the spring.' Talented colt Hidden Motive, trained by Nathan Doyle and ridden by Ash Morgan, was backed from $1.95 into $1.65 favouritism and just held off $81 bolter Kujenga to win by a nose with Matima ($3.80) a long head away third. Hidden Motive, a stablemate of Kurrinda Bloodstock's exciting unbeaten sprinter and The Everest contender Private Harry, scored his second successive win to complete a promising two-year-old season. 'We feel he is a four-five lengths better horse than what he showed today,' Driver said. 'He overraced, he got pestered in front and did a bit of work there. He will improve a lot. 'Wait until you see him on top of the ground. At home what he shown us, he is absolutely electric.' Morgan, who has ridden Private Harry to all five wins including the Group 1 The Galaxy this season, also has big opinion of Hidden Motive's emerging potential. 'I thought it was a very good win,' Morgan said. 'He paraded a lot better than he has been and he was very relaxed and switched off. 'Probably that first ten or fifteen metres he was a little switched off, but I let him roll up. That horse (Dubbo Boy) came to him and we just fired each other up a little bit. 'So, it was a really good win. I know it was a very small margin but he was entitled to get beaten.' Hidden Motive was born and raised at Scone nursery, Cressfield, and was offered as part of their 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale draft. Purchased by Doyle Racing and Kurrinda Bloodstock, the colt's $120,000 price-tag belies his epic pedigree. For starters, Hidden Motive is a son of the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and Golden Slipper winner, Capitalist. On top of that, Hidden Motive is the fourth foal of his dam, Secret Agenda, whose seven career wins included the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide and Group 2 Sapphire Stakes in Sydney. Hidden Motive is another quality descendant of the racetrack champion and broodmare gem, Denise's Joy. Driver also revealed Private Harry has returned to Doyle's Newcastle stables to begin preparations for the Group 1 $20m The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 18. 'Private Harry has been back in the stables for about two weeks and has put on between 65-80kg – and it's all muscle,' Driver said. 'He has grown about an inch-and-a-half, you've got to remember he's only three so he's still got that bit of growing to do. He looks outstanding.' Driver revealed Doyle is planning to give Private Harry two lead-up races into The Everest. 'We are going to The Shorts and then the Premiere Stakes before The Everest,' Driver said. 'He will have two barrier trials but whether the first one is in Newcastle – I'll be honest, he doesn't do much at home. He's very lazy. 'He has never beaten a horse home in trackwork. Nathan will have a horse going to Port Macquarie and it will beat him. 'If you're going off his trackwork, you might not sleep at night. But his IQ is through the roof. I imagine he will have his first trial at home, his second trial we'll come to Sydney, an exhibition gallop and then we'll go first-up.' Just 35 minutes after Hidden Motive's win, Doyle and Morgan completed an early brace when Hellfire Express scored more decisively than his stablemate in the Midway Handicap (1500m). Hellfire Express ($15) led most of the way and held off the late closing Convergent ($10) to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths with the unlucky Callistemon ($5.50) third just in front of favourite Engine Room ($4.60). Morgan's breakout season has included his first Group 1 win with Private Harry and another four stakes races. His Randwick double moved him to 98 wins on all tracks this season. But the in-form jockey is not about to rest on his laurels. 'I don't want to take a break,' Morgan said. 'I feel like I have worked too hard to take it easy now, so I'm just trying to roll while the momentum is good. It has been a magic season.' Originally published as Promising colt Hidden Motive has spring Group 1 target after digging deep for narrow victory at Randwick
News.com.au
07-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Promising colt Hidden Motive has a Spring Group 1 target after digging deep to clinch a narrow victory at Randwick
The Private Harry crew stuck again when Hidden Motive scrambled home at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Hidden Motive, the heavily backed favourite, just held off rank outsider Kujenga in a deceptively tight finish for the Precise Air Handicap (1100m). Sean Driver of Kurrinda Bloodstock was pleasantly surprised when his colt Hidden Motive was declared the winner. 'To be honest we didn't think he got the 'bob',' Driver said. 'But he's a tough horse and was able to win in conditions that didn't suit. 'He will go home now to our farm in the Hunter Valley for two weeks and the big aim is the Coolmore (Stud Stakes) in the spring.' Talented colt Hidden Motive, trained by Nathan Doyle and ridden by Ash Morgan, was backed from $1.95 into $1.65 favouritism and just held off $81 bolter Kujenga to win by a nose with Matima ($3.80) a long head away third. Hidden Motive, a stablemate of Kurrinda Bloodstock's exciting unbeaten sprinter and The Everest contender Private Harry, scored his second successive win to complete a promising two-year-old season. 'We feel he is a four-five lengths better horse than what he showed today,' Driver said. 'He over-raced, he got pestered in front and did a bit of work there. He will improve a lot. 'Wait until you see him on top of the ground. At home what he shown us, he is absolutely electric.' Morgan, who has ridden Private Harry to all five wins including the Group 1 The Galaxy this season, also has big opinion of Hidden Motive's emerging potential. 'I thought it was a very good win,' Morgan said. 'He paraded a lot better than he has been and he was very relaxed and switched off. 'Probably that first ten or fifteen metres he was a little switched off, but I let him roll up. That horse (Dubbo Boy) came to him and we just fired each other up a little bit. You can exhale if you backed Hidden Motive! 🥵 The fav gets his nose down at the right moment to make it two wins in a row in the Randwick opener! @AshMorgan6 @ndoyleracing @aus_turf_club â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 'So, it was a really good win. I know it was a very small margin but he was entitled to get beaten.' Hidden Motive was born and raised at Scone nursery, Cressfield, and was offered as part of their 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale draft. Purchased by Doyle Racing and Kurrinda Bloodstock, the colt's $120,000 price-tag belies his epic pedigree. For starters, Hidden Motive is a son of the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and Golden Slipper winner, Capitalist. On top of that, Hidden Motive is the fourth foal of his dam, Secret Agenda, whose seven career wins included the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide and Group 2 Sapphire Stakes in Sydney. Hidden Motive is another quality descendant of the racetrack champion and broodmare gem, Denise's Joy. Driver also revealed Private Harry has returned to Doyle's Newcastle stables to begin preparations for the Group 1 $20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 18. 'Private Harry has been back in the stables for about two weeks and has put on between 65-80kg – and it's all muscle,' Driver said. 'He has grown about an inch-and-a-half, you've got to remember he's only three so he's still got that bit of growing to do. He looks outstanding.' Just hop on the Doyle/Morgan express! 🚂 Hellfire Express wins the Midway - and that's the first two Randwick races to @ndoyleracing and @AshMorgan6! @aus_turf_club @Darby_Racing â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 7, 2025 Driver revealed Doyle is planning to give Private Harry two lead-up races into The Everest. 'We are going to The Shorts and then the Premiere Stakes before The Everest,' Driver said. 'He will have two barrier trials but whether the first one is in Newcastle – I'll be honest, he doesn't do much at home. He's very lazy. 'He has never beaten a horse home in trackwork. Nathan will have a horse going to Port Macquarie and it will beat him. 'If you're going off his trackwork, you might not sleep at night. But his IQ is through the roof. I imagine he will have his first trial at home, his second trial we'll come to Sydney, an exhibition gallop and then we'll go first-up.' Just 35 minutes after Hidden Motive's win, Doyle and Morgan completed an early brace when Hellfire Express scored more decisively than his stablemate in the Midway Handicap (1500m). Hellfire Express ($15) led most of the way and held off the late closing Convergent ($10) to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths with the unlucky Callistemon ($5.50) third just in front of favourite Engine Room ($4.60). Morgan's breakout season has included his first Group 1 win with Private Harry and another four stakes races. His Randwick double moved him to 98 wins on all tracks this season. But the in-form jockey is not about to rest on his laurels. 'I don't want to take a break,' Morgan said. 'I feel like I have worked too hard to take it easy now, so I'm just trying to roll while the momentum is good. It has been a magic season.'
